Leak detection and location system, method, and software product

Abstract

A system for detecting and locating a leak through a membrane that includes a detector array and computer. The detector array includes a boundary wire loop, sensors, and leads. The boundary wire loop surrounds the area to be tested and generates electrical tension on the surface of the membrane. The sensors are laid out in a sensor array and are placed on top of a membrane and within the boundary wire loop. The sensors are encased in a plastic covered cable or individual wires which have open ends for their terminations forming a cable so that the sensors made by the open terminations form a chain. Each sensor communicates individually with the computer and the signals from the sensors are used by the computer to perform vector mapping that detects and locates leaks through the membrane.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for detecting and locating leaks in roofing and waterproofing membranes comprising:
 a detector array comprising a boundary wire loop and a plurality of sensors, wherein said boundary wire loop surrounds an area on top of the membrane to be tested for leaks and wherein said sensors are positioned at predetermined locations within said area to be tested; 
 a signal generator in electrical communication with said boundary wire loop, wherein said signal generator applies voltage to said boundary wire loop; and 
 a first computer in electrical communication with said boundary wire loop, said sensors, and said signal generator, said first computer comprising a processor, a memory, and a software product for detecting and locating leaks, wherein said software product is stored in said memory and executable by said processor; 
 wherein said boundary wire loop creates an electrical field within an area defined by the boundary wire loop, wherein each of said plurality of sensors measures a voltage at a location of each sensor and communicates said voltage to said first computer, and wherein said first software product analyzes differences in voltage between adjacent sensors and any change in voltage in a single sensor from a prior test result stored in memory to detect and determine a location of a leak. 
 
     
     
       2. The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said sensors are encased in a flat conductive plastic covered cable forming a chain. 
     
     
       3. The system as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein a plurality of said chains are arranged in a grid formation within said area to be tested. 
     
     
       4. The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said sensors are individual wires having open ends for terminations forming a cable such that said open ends, in a string, form a sensor strip. 
     
     
       5. The system as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein a plurality of said cables are arranged in a grid formation within said area to be tested. 
     
     
       6. The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said detector array further comprises dedicated leads in electrical communication with said sensors and said first computer such that each of said sensors is in electrical communication with at least one dedicated lead and said at least one dedicated lead is in communication with only one of said sensors. 
     
     
       7. The system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a central processing computer in electrical communication with said first computer. 
     
     
       8. The system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said electrical communication is via a computer network. 
     
     
       9. The system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising an exposed electrode in electrical communication with said first computer. 
     
     
       10. The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said signal generator is comprised by said first computer. 
     
     
       11. A software product for detecting and locating leaks in roofing and waterproofing membranes, wherein said software product is stored in computer memory and executable by a computer processor, said software product comprising software code for:
 activating a signal generator wherein the signal generator applies voltage to a boundary wire loop when activated and wherein the voltage application creates an electrical field within an area defined by the boundary wire loop; 
 monitoring the electrical field created by said signal generator activation, said monitoring comprising: 
 polling sensors for voltage measurements, wherein said sensors are within the area defined by the boundary wire loop; and 
 detecting differences in voltage between adjacent sensors and changes in voltage in a single sensor; and 
 mapping the membrane, said mapping comprising:
 analyzing data gained from said monitoring of the electrical field; and 
 overlaying a depiction of the electrical field onto a schematic of the membrane, wherein the overlaying creates a geographical map of the electrical field; 
 evaluating the geographical map such that the geographical location on the membrane of a leak is indicated; and 
 sending an alert when said monitoring indicates a leak. 
 
 
     
     
       12. The software product as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising software code for relaying data to a central processing computer. 
     
     
       13. The software product as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said software code for mapping the membrane, evaluating said geographical map, and sending an alert is executed by the central processing computer. 
     
     
       14. The software product as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising software code for testing a system, said software code for testing a system comprising software code for activating an exposed electrode. 
     
     
       15. The software product as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said software code for testing a system further comprises software code for:
 determining the presence of failed sensors; and 
 compensating for said failed sensors. 
 
     
     
       16. A method for detecting and locating leaks in roofing and waterproofing membranes comprising the steps of:
 installing a leak detection system on top of a membrane, said installing comprising the steps of: 
 laying out a boundary wire loop surrounding the area to be tested; 
 laying out an array of sensors with the boundary wire loop; and 
 connecting the sensors electrically to a computer; 
 providing a charge to the leak detection system, said step comprising the step of applying voltage to the boundary wire loop such that an electrical field is created within an area defined by the boundary wire loop; 
 monitoring the electrical field, said monitoring comprising the steps of: 
 polling each sensor of said array of sensors for voltage measurements; and 
 detecting field distortions, said field distortions comprising differences in voltage between adjacent sensors and changes in voltage in a single sensor; 
 mapping a membrane, said mapping step comprising the steps of: 
 transposing a representation of the electrical field onto a geographical map of the membrane to be tested; 
 locating a leak; and 
 alerting as to the presence of a leak. 
 
     
     
       17. The method as claimed in  claim 16  further comprising the step of testing the leak detection system, said step of testing said leak detection system comprising the step of activating an exposed electrode. 
     
     
       18. The method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said step of testing the leak detection system further comprises the steps of:
 determining the presence of failed sensors; and 
 compensating for any failed sensors.